Valve for hot-water heating systems.



E. F. GEBHARDT.

VALVE FOR HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED 00130, 1908.

917,579. Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

fnmm N nu III BDMUND F. GEBHARDT, OF' EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

VALVE FOR HOT-WATER HEATING- SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'Patented April e, 1909.-

Applicaton led October 30, 1908. Serial No. 460,229.

To ali whom-fit may concer/a:

Be it known that I, EDMUND F. GEBHRDT, of Easton, 4in the county of Northampton and btate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves for Hot-ater Heating Systems; and I hereby declare that the follow-ing is a full, clear, and eXact description thereof, reference being hadA to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specificallel'l. A

'lf his invention is a novel valve particularly designed for regulating the pressure in hot waterheating systems; and the object of the invention is to .produce a valve which will be reliable under all conditions of service; that will maintain a uniform pressure in the system and never lose control thereof; that will loe nonesticking and non-choking, and not liable to be disordered by deposit of any foreign matters such as scale, sand or chips which may happen to get into the system.

A further object is to so construct the f valve that all the parts thereof are easily accessible and can be removed for examina- `lion when desired without taking down any pa rl of the heating system or destroying any of the connections thereof. y

`I will now explain the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings of such a valve, which dra-wings form part of this specification, so that any one skilled in the art can readily construct and use same.

In the drawings-#Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the complete valve in normal closed position. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar section on line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. et is a detail vertical sect-ion of the return checkvalvc.

The valve comprises a cylindrical casing t having an inlet a. in its bottom adapted t-o be connected by suitable piping (not shown) to the fluid heating system (not shown). Said casing also has an outlet a adapted to be connected to an overflow tank or reservoir in the usual way (not shown). The casing has its upper `end closed by a removA able plug a2 which is' threaded thereto asv 'indicated in the drawings.

Vithin the casing A. is a cylinder B which is of less diameter than the casing and has an opening in its bottom surrounded by a threaded depending flange b which is threaded exteriorly to engage with internal threads in the opening a in the bottom of the casing, and by which means cylinder B may be secured centrally within the casing A. The cylinder is also provided at bottom and around inlet a with an upstanding.

flange b', the upper edge of which flange forms the main valve seat, and is preferably rounded or beveled so that no foreign matters will find a place of lodgment thereon. Within the flange b may be formed opposite inwardly projecting lugs b2 which can be engaged by a suitable tool for the purpose' of placing or removing the cylinder B in or from the casing. In the lower part of the cylinder B, adjacent the flange b', are formed a series o f openings b3 to permit fluid to circulate freely between the interior of cylinder B and the casing.

Slidably fitted Within the cylinder B is a cylindrical main or pressure controlling valve C, which is of a diameter to fit closely but not tightly within the cylinder B, Which latter forms a guide for such valve. In the low`er end of the pressure valve C is an annular recess c which is dove-tailed in cross section, being wider at its bottom or inner end, than at its mouth. And in said channel is placed a rubber gasket R which is retained in the channelvby interlocking its edges with the edges of the channel. Concentric to the channel c is a depending nipple c which depends preferably lat least one-eighth of an inch below the washer and is of a diameter to fit easily but closely within the annular flange b in the bottom of cylinder B. In this nipple is an opening c2 through which water freely passes to the interior of valve C above the Washer. flheupper end of valve C is closed by a removable screw cap C as indicated in the drawings. The pressure valve C is divided by an internal partition 03 into return valve chamber fr", and a passage c4 .which communicate at top below the cap C; and passage o4 communicates at bottom with opening c2. The bottom of chamber c5 is closed by partition c having a central aperture surrounded by an upstanding annular fiange c7 the upper end of which is preferably rounded so as to form a valve seat for a return-valve D, and the space or passage c below the seat c7 is separated from the chamber (A and passage c2 by a partition es, but communl- Cates. with the interior of thev cylinder B through a lateral opening in the Wall of the pressure valve. The return valve D rests upon seat c7 and closes communication between' the interior of the pressure valve C and interior of cylinder B; but when thereturn valve is lifted a direct communication is established between the passage 09 and A c4 through an opening 01 in partition c4 adjacent the return valve.

The return valve D is preferably provided with a cup-shaped body portion D which fits closely but loosely within thel chamber c5, and with a diskportion D2 overlying the seat c?, said disk having an annular channel d in its lower face dove-tailed in cross section, in which channel is fixed a rubber gasketv or washer r, substantially similar to the washer R of the pressure valve.

. Upon the top of pressure valve C may be placed a Weight F which may be of any suitable material and ,of such size and weight as will hold Yvalve C with desired pressure ony seat b. In hot water heating systems the Weight would be ordinarily proportioned to hold valve C closed at and below a pressure of about ten pounds in the system, and to close said valve instantly if the normal pressure should decrease. So long as valve C is closed fluid cannot flow from the heating system into the casing A,

and return valve D will be held closed on its seat by reason of the pressure of the water against t-he upper side thereof; but if the pressure exceeds the desired limit, say ten pounds, the valve C will be raised and water.

will flow through apertures b3 into the casing A and escape thence through opening a into the overflow tank or receiver. It will y be 'understood that the heating pipes are to be connected to casing A at the point a, and the overflow tank is to be connected to casing A at the point a. When the pressure returns to the desired point valve C instantly c loses and if the pressure falls below the deslred point, the back pressure from the eX- pansion tank willr unseat valve D and water will ow back into the casing A through a and thence through b3, 09, 01", c2 and a back into the heating system.

The nipple or shield c is made to depend `below the washer so as to cause the valve -C to rise and lift the washer entirely olf the seat before any particles could pass up over the top of the flange b; this renders it impossible for any foreign particles to collect and be held on the edge of the valve seat, and insures a clean full closure of the valve when it returns to its seat.

By reason of the peculiar dove-tailed shape of the washer channels in the valves, the Washers Aare held in position wit-hout any clamps and are permitted slight lateralexpansion in the grooves; and I have found that this novel mode of attaching the washers to the valves gives very excellent results in the practical opera-tion thereof and greatly lessens the cost. -A small hole d3 may be be forced ofi' of its seat allowing the water to pass through the` ports in. cylinder B into casing A from which, by means ofa pipe connected toits side Aopening a) it Hows freely to the expansion tank. If the pressure in the system is reduced, the water in the expansion tank will force valve D oli' of its seat inside of valve C and allow the Water to again enter the system throu h the openings in valve C. It will be note that there are no springs or levers or pivoted parts used in my valve; that there is practically nol place for sediment or scale to collect and choke either the pressure or return valve; the parts B, C and D, are preferably made of brass, or non-corrodible metal so there is no danger 'of their sticking; and access can be had to all the parts at any time by simply removing the caps a2 and C without taking down any part of the system.

AHaving described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a pressure regulating valve, the combination of a casing having an inlet adapted to communicate With a heating system, and an opening adapted to communicate with` an expansion tank, a cylinder therein com/- municating with the inlet of the casing and having a raised valve seat surroundingthe inlet and provided with apertures in its walls exterior to the valve seat, a pressure valve in the cylinder adapted to close said inlet, and 'having a return valve chamber and a passage connecting the return valve chamber with the inlet ofthe pressure valve, and a passage leading from the return valve chamber to the casing, and a return valve in said chamber opening contrary to the pressure valve, substantially as described.

2. In combination a casing having an inlet adapted to communicate with a heating system, and an opening adapted to communicate with an expansion tank, a cylinder secured in the casing and'having a valve seat around and communicating with the inlet, and having apertures in its Awalls exterior to said valve seat; a cylindric pressure valve slidably fitted in said cylinder and adapted to close said inlet when thevalve is seated, said pressure valve having a compartment in continuous communication with the system when the pressure valve is closed, and a return valve in said compartment opening oppositely to the main valve, said pressure valve also having a passage leading from said return valve adapted to communicate with the interior of the casing through one ot' the openings inthe cylinder.

3. In combination, a casing having an inlet adapted to communicatewit-h a heating system, and an opening adapted to communicate with an expansion tank, a cylindersecured in the casing and having an inwardl \y projecting` flange forming a val vc seat aroundv and communicating with the inlet, said cylinder having apertures in its walls exterior to said valve seat; a cylindric main valve slidably fitted in said cylinder and adapted to close-said inlet when the valve is seated, said main valve being divided into compartments, one of said compartments being` in continuous communication with the casing when the valve is closed, and said main valve also having an auxiliary valve seat in its othei compartment, and a passage leading fromsaid auxiliary valve seat through the side ofthe main valve and adapted to conr niunicate with the interior of the casing through one of the openings in the cylinder, and an auxiliary valve in said compartment p adapted to normally close said passage but to open to permit return of water to the system.

4. In combination, a casing having an inlet adapted to communicate with a heating system, andan opening adapted to communicate with an expansion tank, a cylinder secured in the casing having an inwardly projecting flange forming a valve seat around and coniinunicating with said inlet and having apertures in its walls exterior to said valve seat, a main valve slidably fitted in said cylinder and adapted to close said inlet when the valve is seated, said main valve having a return valve chamberin continuous communication with the inlet of the casing,` and a passage leading from 'said chamber through the side of the main, valve and adapted to communicate with the interior of the casing through one of the openings in the cylinder,

and a return valve in the-return valvefcham-A ber adapted to open to permit return of water to the system.

5. In a pressure regulating valve for fluid flange surrounding the inlet of the casing and forming an annular valve seat, a hollow cylindrical inain valve having a nipple on its lower end adapted to pro] ect into said flange,

and having an annular chamber, with a re-r turn valve in its lower end, and a passage extendmg through the nipple and communicating with said chamber above the return valve seat and a passage leadingfrom said return valve seat through an opening in the wall of the pressure valve; with a rcturn valve in said chamber opening contrary to the main valve and adapted to close coniniunicatioii between said passages whilethe pressure in the system is at o above the normal, and a washer surrounding said nipple adapted to rest on said seat when the valve iselosed, substantially as described.

G. In a pressure regulating valve for fluid heating systems the combination of a casing having an opening in its bottoni adapted to be connected with the heating system, and another opening adapted to be. connected to an overflow tank, a cylinder in said casing having an upstanding flange surrounding the inlet and forming an annular valve seat, and having slots in its walls adjacent said valve seat; a hollow cylindrical pressure valve slidably fitted in said cylinder and having its lower end adapted to close said inlet and having a return valve chamber above the inlet, and a passage leading from said return valve chamber to the inlet, and a second passage opening through the wall o f the main valve; with a return valve in said chamber opening contrary to the main valve adapted to Vclose communication between said passages while the pressure in the system is at` or above the normal, and a weight connected with said pressure valve for holding the same upon its seat.

7. In a pressure regulating valve,the conibinatioii of a casing having an inlet adapted to communicate with .a heating system, and an opening adapted to communicate witlran expansion tank, a cylinder .therein having a valve seat communicating with the inlet ot the casing; a main valve in the cylinder having its lower end adapted to close said seatwhen the valve is closed and having a return valve chamber, and a passage connecting the return valve chamber with the inlet and a passage leading from the`returu valve chamber and communicating with the casing through the cylinder.; wit-h a normally closed return valve in said chamber opening oppositely to the main valve.

8. In combination, a casing having an inlet opening adapted to communicate with a fluid heating system and an opening adapted to communicate with an expansion tank, and an annular flange within the casing surrounding said inlet opening and projecting upwardly therefrom; and a hollow pressure valve within the casing having a depending annular nipple adapted to enter the said annular flange and having,a washer surrounding the nipple adapted to est upon with the expansion tank; with a. return Vvvalve, within the pressure valve, adapted to close said return passage and opening in a direction of iow contrary to the main Valve and 1n constant communicatlon at one side. withthe uid pressure in the system,'

and adapted to be unseated by the'back How when the pressure in said system falls below the normal.

9. 'The combination of a casing having an ;ing a partition dividing it into two chambers, one of which communicates with the inlet. and the other w/itht-le outlet of the cylindrical valve, a return Valve seat .in the chamber of the main valve, and a slidable valve-normally seated on the return Valve seat and opening oppositely to the main valve. v

lO. In combination, a casing having an in' let adapted to communicate with a heating system and an opening adapted to communiA cate with an expansion tank; a4 cylinder therein provided with an inlet in its bottom communicating with the inlet to the casing,

and anl opening n its side communicating with the expansion tank; a cylindrical pressure valve slidably lit-ted in said cylinder and having a nipple on its lower end and an annular channel surrounding the nipple and a return passage communicating with the expansion tank; and a Washer fitted 1n said channel; with a return Valve in said pressure Y valve adapted to close vthe saidv return passage, and opening on a return How, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. Y

EDMUND F. GEBHARDT.

Witnesses: i

PETER W. HAY, 1

W. A. KEMMEREB. 

